Wright Patman Reservoir 2016 Survey Report (PDF 863.7 KB)
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Wright Patman Reservoir - 2016 Survey Report
Prepared by Timothy J. Bister and Joseph D. Lechelt
Inland Fisheries Division
Marshall District, Texas
This is the authors' summary from a 35-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.
Fish populations in Lake Wright Patman were surveyed in 2016 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2017 using gill netting. Anglers were surveyed from June 2016 through May 2017 with a creel survey. Vegetation surveys were conducted in 2013-2016 and an angler access survey was conducted in 2017. Historical data are presented with the 2016-2017 data for comparison. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.
Reservoir Description
Lake Wright Patman is a 20,143-acre impoundment located on the Sulphur River. The reservoir is located in Bowie and Cass Counties approximately 10 miles southwest of Texarkana.
Management History
Important sport fish include Blue and Channel Catfishes, Largemouth Bass, and Crappie. All sport fish at Lake Wright Patman have historically been managed with statewide harvest regulations. Florida Largemouth Bass have been stocked in this reservoir to improve the quality of the Largemouth Bass fishery. Hydrilla, water hyacinth, and giant salvinia were discovered in the reservoir in 2000, 2005, and 2012 respectively. Giant salvinia was eradicated, and water hyacinth and hydrilla do not pose any management concern at this time.
Fish Community
- Prey species: No Threadfin Shad were observed during 2016 electrofishing. Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad was higher than previous surveys, but most were too large to be available as prey to most sport fish. Bluegill were the most abundant sunfish species observed during electrofishing.
- Catfishes: Catfishes were the third most sought species by anglers during the 2016/2017 creel survey. However, the directed angling effort toward catfishes was much lower compared to a survey conducted in 2008/2009. Blue Catfish abundance in gill nets was similar to previous years. The catch rate of Channel Catfish in gill nets was lower in 2017 compared to 2013, but similar to 2009. Of the catfish harvested in 2016/2017, most were Channel Catfish.
- White Bass: Only 23 White Bass were collected during the 2017 spring gill netting survey. Directed angling effort toward White Bass was only 0.1% of the total angling effort in the 2016/2017 creel survey.
- Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass electrofishing catch rate was similar to previous surveys, but population abundance was low. Growth was fast. Directed angling effort for Largemouth Bass was second highest during 2016/2017. Harvested fish ranged from 15 to 19 inches. All fish released by anglers weighed less than 7 pounds.
- Crappie: Crappie were the most popular species targeted by anglers during 2016/2017. White Crappie were more abundant than Black Crappie, although the catch of White Crappie in trap nets was much lower in 2016 than in previous years.
Management Strategies
- Conduct exploratory low-frequency electrofishing in summer 2020 to collect Blue Catfish and Flathead Catfish population data.
- Conduct aquatic plant surveys annually to monitor the spread or introduction of invasive aquatic plant species and recommend control measures to USCOE as necessary.
- Maintain signage at spillway to inform anglers of the threat of Asian carp (Bighead and Silver Carp) and work with the USACE to prevent movement of Asian carp upstream of the dam.
Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-2 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program